yemen's girls are married by the time they are 15. in some yemeni provinces the average marrying age for females is 8 years old. incredibly, these women want to keep it that way and they are holding up their koran's because they believe the holy book backs them up. thanks to all of you for being part of my program this week. i will see you next week. stay tuned for amanpour." >> this week, a new approach to the quest for justice. and an old problem in a contested land. plus, one of the most famous faces in the world travels to one of the most danger places on earth. . >> hello. i'm christiane amanpour and welcome to the program. this week, we look at fight for

world justice. the united states has just changed its game plan, and we have an exclusive interview about the new attitude of the u.s. towards the international criminal court. and the fractured state of relations in the middle east. israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu came to washington this week still defending his policy of expanding settlements in largely arab east jerusalem. >> the jewish people were building jerusalem 3,000 years ago, and the jewish people are building jerusalem today. >> we'll hear from two experts on the middle east, plus -- drumming for peace in one of the most troubled places on earth. the democratic republic of congo. we'll hear what film star ben affleck found traveling to eastern congo and how he thinks the world can help. >> the more i traveled, the more i was struck by it and fell in

love with the people. the mache i was horrified by what was happening. >> but first the international criminal court. many hailed it as a triumph for global justice when it was established in 2002. but the icc has face add uphill battle ever since, and not just because it's difficult to prosecute war crimes. but because it never had the support of the most powerful member, the united states. the bush administration had refused to sign on saying the court could put u.s. citizens in legal jeopardy. >> you know, as the united states, would to bring peace around the world our diplomats and or soldiers could be drug into this court. >> but under president obama, the white house has now shifted course somewhat. it's just announced it still won't sign onto the treaty but will seek ways to support some of the key icc prosecutions. earlier this week, i spoke to stephen rapp, the u.s. ambassador at large for war crimes, about what this change

would really mean. >> thank you very much for joining us. >> good to be on the program. >> so the obvious first question is why, why now? >> well, the obama administration is dedicated to an approach of engagement, engagement with international institutions, engagement with countries in our interests and consistent with our values. >> but you're still not signing onto the so-called rome statute. >> no, we remain concerned that it might it be possible for a prosecutor who is not accountable to anyone to target an american who's out doing the work that 3 million americans are doing around the world today protecting people from terror and an tros night what exactly will you be doing? what does this shift peen. >> well, first of all we're engaging with the icc again. there are very important issues being dealt with like potentially they're moving forward to a crime of aggression and have to engage that to protect international justice. >> you just said the crime of aggression. what is that.

>> well, aggression is the crime that we prosecuted in a way at nuremberg, but a massive aggressive war by the nazis against the countries in europe. and we -- and that is recognized in international law. however, as defined in a proposed amendment to be considered at the icc review conference in cam pala, it could include almost any act of crossing a border or assisting or allowing another country -- >> so you're concerned about u.s. citizens again, troops, diplomats. >> well, particularly and our allies, as well. if we're taking protective action in various places like we did in kosovo, for instance, people that are involved in trying to protect people could end up being unfairly targeted. >> let me play this part of an interview from the sudanese ambassador to the united nations about this. >> america is an opportune nis country. they want to use icc without becoming a member and to exemtd their soldiers and use it

through resolution 1153 also to exempt it from any jurisdiction. this is a double standard in its worst shape. >> is it not a double standard? >> it's not a double standard because one of the principles of international justice and the icc is that if you commit crimes, genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, you will hold the people to account in your national system for those crimes. we have a very tough system of military justice and civilian justice in this country that's really a model for the rest of the world. there's to question that if americans violate these rules, they'll be prosecuted. >> i'm going to play something that hillary clinton, secretary of state has said, particularly about the indictment in sudan against president bashir. >> i think that it is very significant that criminal indictment was returned by the international criminal court against president bashir. the actions by the icc sent a

clear message that the behavior of bashir and his government were outside the bounds of accepted standards. >> will you support that indictment and the arrest of bashir or the prosecution and particularly i ask because the united states is obviously in engagement with sudan. >> keep in mind the policy on darfur has changed very little between the last administration and this administration. the last administration allowed the indictment to go forward, opposed any effort to stop it in the united nations and became one of the strongest supporters of accountability for sudan and we're following the policy. >> the icc says the last administration was even stronger on this issue and on bashir and that this administration is being. >> well, i dispute that. our position has been clear that the prosecutor needs to go forward with this investigation that it shouldn't be stopped, it shouldn't be derailed or you know, stayed for a year. >> but what about the vast breaches and this gets back again to the united states, of

acceptable standards by, for instance, those who have been accused of torture at abu ghraib, at guantanamo? again, many are saying that there is a double standard and how can the united states lecture the world about other such indictments if it's not going to prosecute its own cases? >> in this administration, the attorney general, the former colleague of mine, a fellow united states attorney eric holder is examining the question in regard to what was called enhanced interrogation, is making decisions what kind of cases could be reviewed, has appointed a consul outside the normal sort of system, not a fully independent counsel but someone that answers directly to the attorney general and what the icc requires is that you proceed with that process genuinely. >> let me ask you a personal question. you really came to all of this a long legal journey but you were the prosecutor at the sierra leon tribunal. you were responsible for what finally ended up charles taylor

in court there. how do you personally square that professional work that you've done with now the political work of not really signing up to the rome statute? how does that play in your mind. >> it's very consistent. i mean, all of these courts require the political, economic, judicial, legal support of various member states and of the united nations, of the icc. you have to have countries that will work in support of bringing accountability. the united states is a leader in rwanda, sierra leon, yugoslavia, a whole variety of courts. now we're looking at a situation with the icc where we have concerns about our own interests but on the other hand we see four cases being pursued in africa where there's been jen nid, mass murder, crimes against humanity. accountability needs to be achieved and we have to figure out a way that we can assist

that process because that's consistent with our values as americans, consistent with the work to which i've dedicated my supply of on that note, ambassador rapp, thanks you so much for joining us. >> enjoyed it, thank you. next, we'll ask one of the icc's prosecution team what this shift in u.s. policy will really mean. you know, when i grow up,

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will you regular were you regularly receiving mayonnaise jars full of diamonds from the iuf? >> never. everdy receive whether it is mayonnaise or coffee or whatever jar. never received any diamonds from the iuf. it's a lie. it's a diabolical lie. never. >> that was charles taylor, the former president of liberia who's now on trial at eight special tribunal set up to prosecute war crimes in sierra leon. the icc was established to

replace all those ad hoc war crimes tribunal falls that have been set up over the past two decades. after speaking with stephen rapp, i asked the special adviser to the icc about how the shift in u.s. policy would help the court. >> thank you for joining us. >> good to be here. >> first and foremost, how big a shift and how big a support is the united states' new policy of engagement with the icc. >> it's essential for us. we're really excited about the announcement by the obama administration yesterday. we have our shopping list ready of requests for assistance from the american government. the american government for us has to lead on one particular issue, the arrest of sought war criminals. president alba sheer, joseph in uganda, the terminator in the congo, all those people have arrest warrants against them, arrest warrant issued by the icc

judges and they need to be arrested now. >> so what do you expect the united states to do, send in troops and pick them up? >> in the case of joseph in uganda, a leader surrounded by armed men. we need the support of the operational support of countries like the u.s. to the drc to uganda to the central african republic to assist them in mounting an operation to arrest him. they will have the will, so it's a totally legitimate operation, politically, legally. but they need this kind of assistance. and the u.s. has to be the leader. the europeans will follow but we need the u.s. in the lead. >> beyond the arrests which the u.s. does have very significant capacities to do that, what else are you looking for? what else will this support mean? >> again, for us, christiane, the most important is diplomatic support. you know in the case of al bashir, it's not a matter of arresting himg. we don't need information on the crimes committed by the president. we know. we have all the evidence.

what we need is leadership in isolating him in making him clearly a fugitive. >> on that note, let me play something from judge richard gold stone, who is the first prosecutor at one of these first tribunals the one for former yugoslavia in the hague. listen. >> i think what's really important is the double standards need to stop. it's really unfair that that international criminal justice only involves small or weaker parts. i think it's very important for that reason that the united states should become much more active and involved in the international criminal court. >> well, we've been debating the u.s. role and we've been talking about that, but also what he's talking about weaker powers, there is a perception that it is just africa that is being targeted at the moment. do you have sort of a credibility gap in terms of who you're targeting? >> no, we are very proud of what we're doing. we think that the most serious crimes under our jurisdiction in the last few years have been committed in the countries where

we have intervened. >> on that note, thank you so much indeed for joining us. >> thank you for having me. next, we turn to the middle east. what will it take to get the peace process back on track. eet! [ male announcer ] grilled. filled. chilled. sweet! [ female announcer ] just about anywhere you use sugar you can use splenda® no calorie sweetener. more ways than you ever imagined. [ male announcer ] flakes. shakes. cakes. sweet! [ female announcer ] splenda® starts with sugar. tastes like sugar. but it's not sugar. it's... [ male announcer ] savory. crunchy. yummy. sweet! [ female announcer ] splenda®. america's favorite no calorie sweetener. i can download files up to 10x faster than 3g... outside. i can stream the movie "airplane" to my cell phone... at the airport. i can have a crystal-clear videoconference with my clients... ...muffin basket or something... ...while working offsite, or share five high-speed connections for online gaming... while enjoying the great outdoors.

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another challenge for the obama administration, getting the middle east peace process back on track. earlier this week, both israel and the united states addressed the contentious settlement issue head-on. >> new construction in east jerusalem or the west bank undermines that mutual trust and endangers the prom imity talks that are the first step toward the full negotiations that both sides say they want and need. >> the jewish people were building jerusalem 3,000 years ago, and the jewish people are building jerusalem today. jerusalem is not a settlement. it's our capital.

>> now, shortly after that speech, the deputy israeli prime minister dan meridor told me that there would be no actual building in that settlement in east jerusalem for two years. to get more understanding of this whole issue, i spoke with two analysts on the region, sarinu saber president of a university in jerusalem and from washington, daniel levy, an adviser to the israeli government in previous peace talks. gentlemen, thank you both very much for joining us. let me turn first to you mr mr. nusaber. as a palestine you yourself as glumly forecast the two-state solution is fading away. is that what you really think that there is less and less hope for that? >> from a theoretical point of view. of course, everything is still possible but from a practical point of view if you're looking at what's practically happening, then, of course, what you're seeing is a situation in which in fact the two-state solution

is no longer possible from a practical point of view, and when you're talking about settlements, i know that the focus today is on 1600 new housing units in a particular area in jerusalem, ramat shlomo or whatever. but you felt the fact that israel has been building across the green line in east jerusalem for the past 42 years and we will already have more and that a quarter of a million people living across the green line in jerusalem in east jerusalem and in the surrounding areas. now, i don't see how a two-state solution based on east jerusalem being the capital of a palestinian state is going to be possible under those circumstances. >> all right. seems that by default we are going into an part hide reality in which the only solution then will be to try and divide up the rights equally among individuals in one state. >> let me just quickly ask you this. the israeli government, they feel that they don't even have a palestinian partner. yes marks mud abbas but he doesn't bring the entire

palestinian people with him. >> the palestinian people elected mahmoud abbas because of his peace program, and they were hoping that through having elected him, is he going to bring about a two said solution based on the 67 lines with east jerusalem as its capital and this was our last hope but abu mazen has been in office now for several years since he was elected and every day, reality is going in the opposite direction so yes we support abbas, but the palestinian people see that they will have no part in the peace. we've been seeking peace on the basis of two states but i believe that we haven't found a partner on the israeli side consistent powerful enough to bring about that seclusion. >> all right. let me ask you, daniel levy, it's just incredible that there have been so many years of direct peace negotiations and now they want even get to that point and it's going to be proximity talks using the united states as mediators and go-betweens. what can the united states do

right now? >> well i think you could use the fact that the united states is driving the process by it being in direct talks, america with israel, america with the palestinians. there's urgency. we've heard it from the deputy prime minister and from what the professor said. i think you need a plan on the table, something concrete for the israelis and palestinians to say yes or no to. the question of the palestinian partner is secondary. if israel's ready for peace, it could stop settlements. it could say to the international community you guarantee security. you run this. i think we need now a concrete american plan not to deal with one settlement but to deal with the entirety and to get a boarder. >> when you say a concrete plan, there are other plans. the israeli ambassador to the united states has said we do not want an american plan. it's like forcing people to fall in love. that's what he was quoted as saying. is there any way other and that having an american plan. >> i don't see it. no one's asking israelis and palestinians to fall in love. if you're serious about two states, let's go ahead and do

it. israel unfortunately is addicted to the settlements. the settlers and their sympathizers are everywhere in the israeli system. that's why even the prime minister was possibly surprised by what happened ten days ago. a plan which has clear terms of reference, specifically on the borders including borders in jerusalem. then they'll be no question of where is a settlement because you'll have a border. you will know where is israeli and palestine. if you want two states have you do that. if not it's going in the direction the professor is described. >> professor, do you think even at this date there is a possibility for america to break the log jam that maybe these proximity talks can achieve what direct talks or no talks have not achieved. >> i quite agree. if the americans were to do mother and that simply point out the facts which is what secretary clinton did the other day, if the americans were to actually push for particular solution as they see it, as they find possible as they find probably acceptable on the two kids on both parts, i think that

would probably be the only way forward. we need american intervention at this moment in time in order to break the deadlock or otherwise, i think i quite agree with what's been said. i think we're certainly going into a default option of a one-state scenario, an part hide reality. >> professor, daniel lee have i, thank you both so much for joining us at this critical juncture. and on our facebook page, we're discussing this question -- if israel continues to build in east jerusalem, how will it affect the country's long-term relationship with the united states? so weigh in at amanpour.com/facebook and next, one of the most famous actors in the world takes on one of the worst human tear yab crises. what can ben affleck do to heal the wounds of war in congo? are you feeling old and tired? do you want to get that jump back into your step? hey, i'm don shula,

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hello. i'm fredricka whitfield in atlanta. our top stories right now, we're awaiting is president obama's address to u.s. troops in afghanistan at any moment. you're looking at some pictures there on the right side of your screen. we understand that the room at the bagram air base where the president momentarily will be emerging. and you see all the troops there that are poised at the ready with cameras awaiting to get that first glimpse of the president. this is his first visit to afghanistan as president just while he was on the presidential campaign trail, he was in afghanistan. but this is officially his first visit to that region to that country as commander in chief. this was a surprise departure

from washington. he was at camp david over the weekend and then in the middle of the night, took the plane to afghanistan where he made this surprise visit. he has already had a one-on-one meeting with president hamid karzai in kabul. and apparently, cabinet members of both the obama administration and karzai's administration have also met and now we understand after that meeting, he's made his way over to bagram there where he will be meeting with u.s. troops there. always an exciting visit when the president meets troops, especially in a war-torn area. this afghanistan war going now into its eighth year and there had been a lot of angst expressed by some u.s. troops according to barbara starr, pentagon correspondent, that many troops were kind of feeling like when is the president going to be visiting us here in afghanistan and this is kind of a real shot in the arm in terms of boosting morale to see the

commander in chief there in afghanistan. and visiting face to face with the u.s. troops. we're going to continue to watch this image here out of bagram as they await the president's arrival and as soon as he does enter the room, we will be taking that live. and momentarily, we are also hoping that once we see these images out of bagram in terms of the president emerging, we're also hoping to be able to bring you some taped comments that came from presidents karzai and obama around the time of their meeting earlier today in afghanistan. and when we have those, we'll bring those to you and turn that around. but hopefully, you'll be able to see these live comments coming

from the president there at bagram momentarily. all right. white house correspondent dan lothian is also joining us now. he, too, is waiting to see what's to take place here at bagram. dan, if you can -- there we go. we see you now. dan, give us an idea while this was a surprise visit to afghanistan, we heard some of the commitments that the president was likely or that conversation with karzai was likely to have. what do we understand he might be saying to the troops here? >> well, really thanking them for their efforts and you know fighting and this war on tearner afghanistan. as you know, this really has been the focal point for the united states in the war against al qaeda and the taliban and that is afghanistan, the shift away from iraq to afghanistan. and so, the troop ramp-up as one official said has reached about 80,000 expected to get to 100,000.

so the president getting a chance to thank the troops for the work that they're doing on the ground there, but this is really a remarkable trip as you pointed out. we did not know about this. the president leaving washington shortly after 10:00 last night and then making this trip to bagram and then into kabul. a couple of the things that the united states really wants to see happen there on the ground first of all, they want to see president karzai really crack down on what is seen as sort of the moneyline for the insurgency, and that is going after the poppy growers. that really has been sort of the fueling a lot of the insurgency. so that's one of the things they're attacking there. and the second thing is they want to see president karzai really go after corruption. they need these things really to be nailed down in order for there to be a solid strategic partnership there in in that country. >> no real promises are expected to be made, correct, in terms of the ongoing relationship between

the u.s. and afghanistan? we know that the president had committed 30,000 more u.s. troops. we heard that there were many people in afghanistan who were feeling a little uneasy about that. hoping that they would get moral in terms of jobs, more stability in their country and less of the u.s. presence. >> that's right. they do want that stability and you heard that coming from the recent offensive in mar jau where the focus was on rooting out the taliban. and there's been concern there on the ground that perhaps not enough is being done to sort of put together the infrastructure to make sure that once the taliban is rooted out that they don't return. so that is a concern there on the ground. but in addition to what we've seen this seniors offensive in marjah also the u.s. planning this big offensive in kandahar city, i was at a briefing where officials were talking about that, again, the target being the taliban, what the u.s. really wants to do is make sure that afghanistan is not a place

that can harbor terrorists. that's why there is this offensive that's taking place now. but one of the things that the u.s. really wants to make sure is that the afghan government is able to, with its own military presence and forces, able to contain when the u.s. eventually pulls out from there. so that's the big thing. make sure that the training takes place so the afghan forces can continue to provide security in that region. >> do you know whether or not the white house is willing to say that his visit signals perhaps that a new approach would be taken militarily even though those u.s. troops have already been committed? >> not necessarily that there will be a new approach but it's signaling the resolve of this government to make sure that what needs to be done on the ground there does get done, and this is just sort of the beginning of what the u.s. hopes will be a very strong relationship as robert gibbs on the ground there with the president pointed out that they have invited president karzai to

come to baugh and that date has been set for may 12th. so the discussions that have begun today will continue during that meeting and going forward as well. >> live pictures now there at bagram air ba base as u.s. troops await the president's rival. dan, can i ask you about the timing of this? clear lit president has been very committed -- now we've lost the signal again. the president has been very committed toward health care and other domestic issues especially in the last couple of weeks. is this is the white house's way, the president's way of saying we haven't forgotten about this either? >> certainly, yes. the administration wants to let everybody know that will this does remain on the radar, and you know one of the things that keeps getting asked of this white house time and again is the president not focusing enough on some of these other issues whether it be foreign policy because he's been spending so much time on health care and getting this health care bill passed into law. and what the white house will say time and time again is that

the president should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. a lot of people don't believe that he's been able to do that but nonetheless they say even though he hasn't been every day out there talking about afghanistan or talking about iran or talking about north korea, that his team is fully engaged in all of these issues but certainly now that they have health care reform essentially under their belt, there's still a lot of selling going on about there about how this will be implemented and what it will mean to americans but the president now sort of turning the page. you'll hear more from this white house about jobs, about the economy. and you'll continue to hear moral about some of these foreign policy issues like iran and also afghanistan. >> and i know we haven't -- we have yet to heart president. i don't want to rush his journey to afghanistan. but is his week expected to look like. >> sorry, what was the question? >> the president's week, this coming week, what is on tap for him. >> right, well a couple of things. first of all the president will be signing that fix-it will

bill, that's those changes that were made to the health care bill. that will happen on tuesday. thursday, the president then will be going to new england. he'll be, again, talking about health care and the health care law. some of the immediate and long-term benefits of the health care law that will happen in portland, maine and then he goes to a fund-raiser in boston and then on friday, the president goes out to north carolina where he'll be talking about jobs and the economy, what the administration is doing to continue the turn around. >> is the white house letting you know that what his itinerary is while he's there in afghanistan after bagram? is it you know, back on the plane wheels up back to washington or is there yet another stop? >> it's my understanding it's back on the plane and back to washington although all the guidance we're getting is from the pool reports on the ground. as you know these missions if you will, are very secretive. we did not know that they were going, we did not know when they took off till they got there and not even when at the landed in

bagram but finally when they went from bagram over to kabul. that's the first indication we got this had taken place. any indication what other stops we'll find out perhaps after the fact with the pool reporters traveling with the president. >> explain the secrecy, why when we see a president making his way whether it be iraq or afghanistan for obvious reasons, for the security and the safety of the president upon arrival, correct? >> that's right. i mean the bottom line is that it's all about security. earlier this year, i took one of these trips with the vice president when he went to iraq. and they call it a vip pool. it's a smaller group of reporter who's go along with either the president or the vice president. you find out at the very last minute. you're told to meet at andrews air force base. you're not told where you're going. typically once you get there, you have to surrender all communication devices like your phone or your blackberries. you get onto the plane. the door is closed and at that point they'll tell you here is

where we're going. the bottom line again is that it's a war zone that they're going into. always a dangerous situation. and particular if anyone finds out that the president of the united states or the vice president will be making that trip. so they want to make sure that they keep it very low key so that anyone who might be trying to do something doesn't get a heads-up. >> the president has been very outspoken about his commitment to afghanistan from the very start and then very quick committing those 30,000 u.s. troops. however, has the president received a lot of criticism for waiting this long, waiting a year before making his first visit as commander in chief? >> well, you've heard a lot -- heard a lot of talk about that, and in fact, every time he takes an overseas trip, there will always be that guessing game whether or not this is going to be the time when the president will be making that side trip. there's also been some heat from the left because you know, the president had campaigned talking about pulling troops out of iraq, winding down that operation, winding things up in afghanistan. but those on the left not

looking for such a big commitment in afghanistan. so there's been criticism all around, but clearly as you pointed out, this is something that the president telegraphed early on when he was running for president. he said that he wanted to bring an end to the conflict in iraq and that he really wanted to shift the focus to afghanistan because that is where the attack on the united states was launched from. he felt that the former administration had dropped the ball and so he wanted to put not only the resources on the ground but also train the local military there so they could continue operations once the u.s. pulled out. >> and how was the white house responding to the fact that there have been discussions that perhaps the president was not happy with karzai and questioned whether karzai was doing enough to offer stability in that country at that -- that his visit comes now because there have been some signs that perhaps there are some progress in karzai's administration. >> you're right. the white house has been very clear about that and you've

heard others here in washington as well who have been critical of the karzai government, a lot of questions about the elections there. concerns that he was not really doing enough as i pointed out earlier to really go at the root of the financial backing for these insurgency that is going after the poppy growers. and so yes, there has been from this administration a clear admission that more needs to be done over there, and in fact, in some of those briefings that officials here at the white house gave earlier today, they describe karzai as being "adequate strategic partner," another official saying he's "fine." so we're not talking about a glowing endorsement here of president karzai but they do believe that there is some progress being made on the ground. the president pointed out in his remarks of that today. he also said as he looked around he saw some electricity, more electricity and that had been in there in the region in the past and so that there was progress being done in the infrastructure

there, as well. so another official pointing out that there is a long way to go, that it's not a perfect situation but they do believe that on the ground progress is being made. >> okay. dan lothian, thanks so much. i know you're not going to go far. we're going to listen in right now to these perhaps opening remarks, maybe even an introduction to the president's arrival there at bagram air base in afghanistan. >> and for that, i know i am deeply grateful and extremely proud to welcome this man. this evening we are honored with a special guest who understands our nation's appreciation better and that anyone. who understands the significance of our mission and service and who is focused on

investigating -- a strong and well trained well equipped u.s. military that can fight and win our nation's wars. on behalf of combined joint task force 82, region command east, and our members of this incredible team, i'd like you all to rise and give a warm welcome to our distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure and honor to welcome our commander in chief, the 44th president of the united states, president barack obama! ♪

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how's it going bagram? well, you know, it turns out that the american people, they let me use this plane called air force one and so i thought i'd come over and say hello. a couple of people i want to thank in addition to sergeant major eric johnson for the outstanding introduction and his great service. i want to thank major general mike scaparetti. thank you for your great work as commanding general. i want to thank ms. dawn liberi, who's the ssh civilian representative regional command

east for her outstanding work. and brigadier general stephen qwoss, commander commander 455th air expeditionary wing. thank you all for your outstanding service. give them a big round after applause. thank you for the unbelievable welcome. i know this was on a little bit of short notice. >> no worry. >> say no worries? it is great to be here at bagram, and it's great to see all the services. we've got air force, we've got army -- we've got navy. we've got some marines in the house. and we've got a lot of civilians

here, too, who are making an outstanding contribution to this effort and i'm honored to be joined by america's outstanding civilian military leadership team here in afghanistan. ambassador carl eikenberry who's doing outstanding work in the commander of our 43-nation coalition. general stan mcchrystal. the two of them together have paired up to do an extraordinarily difficult task, but they are doing it extraordinarily well and we are proud of them. please give your outstanding team a big round of applause. they've got my full confidence and my full support. we're also joined by troops from some of our coalition partners. because this is not simply an american mission or even just a nato mission. al qaeda and their extremist allies are a threat to the

people of afghanistan and a threat to the people of america, but they're also a threat to people all around the world. and that's why we're so proud to have our coalition partners here with us. thank you very much for the great work that you do. we absolute you and honor you for all the sacrifices you make and are you a true friend of the united states of america. thank you very much. and we also absolute the members of the afghan national army who are fighting alongside all of you. they're risking their lives to protect their country as i told president karzai today, the united states is a partner, but our intent is to make sure that the afghans have the capacity to provide for their own security. that is core to our mission and we are proud of the work that they are doing and the continuing increased capacity that we're seeing out of afghan national security forces. so thank you very much for the great work you're doing to take

responsibility for security here in your own country. and to the afghan people, i want to say that i'm honored to be a guest in your country. now, the afghans have suffered for decades. decades of war, but we are here to help afghans forge a hard-won peace while realizing the extraordinary potential of the afghan people, afghanistan's sons and daughters and the soldiers and the police to the farmers and the young students. and we want to build a lasting partnership founded upon mutual interests and mutual respect and i'm looking forward to returning to afghanistan many times in the years to come. now, i know for most of you, you didn't get a lot of notice that i was coming, but i wanted you to understand there's no visit that i considered more important and that this visit i'm making right now. because i have no greater honor

and that serving as your commander in chief. and it is a privilege to look out and see the extraordinary efforts of america's sons and daughters here in afghanistan. so my main job here today is to say thank you on behalf of the entire american people. you are part of the finest military in the history of the world. and we are proud of you. and so, i want you to know that everybody back home is proud of you. everybody back home is grateful, and everybody understands the sacrifices that you have made and your families have made to keep america safe and to keep america secure in this vital mission. and i know it's not easy.

you're far away from home. you miss your kids. you miss your spouses, your family, your friends. some of you, this is your second or your third or your fourth tour of duty. i'll tell you right now the same thing that i said at west point last december. if i thought for a minute that america's vital interests were not served were, not at stake here in afghanistan, i would order all of you home right away. so i want you to know, i want every american serving in afghanistan military and civilian to know, whether you're working the flight line here at bagram or patrolling a village down in helhelmand, whether you training our afghan partners or working with the afghan government, your services are absolutely necessary. absolutely essential to

america's safety and security. those folks back home are relying on you. we can't forget why we're here. we didn't d not choose this war. this was not an act of america wanting to expand its influence, of us wanting to meddle in somebody else's business. we were attacked viciously on 9/11. and thousands of our fellow countrymen and women were killed. and this is a region where the perpetrators of that crime, al qaeda, still base their leadership. plots against our homeland, plots against our allies, plots against the afghan and pakistani people are taking place as we speak right here. and if this region slides backwards, if the taliban retakes this country and al qaeda can operate with

impunitity, then more american lives will be at stake. the afghan people will lose their chance at progress and prosperity. and the world will be significantly less secure. and as long as i'm your commander in chief, i am not going to let that happen. that's why you are here. i've made a promise to all of you who serve, i will never send you into harm's way unless it's absolutely necessary. i anguish in thinking about the sacrifices that so many of you make. that's why i promise i will never send you out unless it is necessary, but that's only part of the promise because the other part of the promise is that when it is absolutely necessary, you will be backed up by a clear mission and the right strategy and you will have the support to finish the job, to get the job

done and i am confident all of you are going to get the job done right here in afghanistan. i am confident of that. that's why i ordered more troops and civilians here into afghanistan shortly after taking office. that's why we took a hard look and forged a new strategy and committed more resources in december. that's why we've pushed our friends and allies and partners to pony up more resources themselves, more commitments of aid and additional forces and trainers. our broad mission is clear. we are going to disrupt and dismantle, defeat and destroy al qaeda and its extremist allies. that is our mission. and to accomplish that goal, our

objectatives here in afghanistan are also clear. we're going to deny al qaeda safe haven. we're going to reverse the taliban's momentum. we're going to strengthen the capacity of afghan security forces and the afghan government so that they can begin taking responsibility and gain confidence of the afghan people. our strategy includes a military effort that takes the fight to the taliban while creating the conditions for greater security and a transition to the afghans. but also a civilian effort that improves the daily lives of the afghan people and combats corruption and a partnership with pakistan and its people because we can't uproot extremists and advance security and opportunity unless we succeed on both sides of the border. most of you understand that. many of the troops that i ordered to afghanistan have begun to arrive. and more are on the way. and we'll continue to work with congress to make sure that

you've got the equipment that you need particularly as we complete our drawdown in iraq. we're providing more helicopters, we're providing more intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities. more special operations forces, more armored vehicles that can save lives. and here in afghanistan, you've gone on the offensive. and the american people back home are noticing. we have seen a huge increase in support in stateside because people understand the kinds of sacrifices that you guys are making and the clarity of mission that you're bringing to bear. and together with our coalition and afghan partners, our troops have pushed the taliban out of their strongnoeld marjah. we've changed the way we operate and interact with the afghan people. we see afghans reclaiming their communities and we see new partnerships that will help them build their own future and increase their security. and across the board, pakistan

is mounting is major offenses. we've seen violent extremists pushed out of their sanctuaries. we've struck major blows against al qaeda leadership as well as the taliban. they are hunkered down. they're worried about their own safety. it's harder for them to move. it's harder for them to train and to plot and to attack and all of that makes america safer and we are going to keep them on the run because that is what's going to be required in order to assure that our families back home have the security that they need. that's the work that you are doing. so thanks to you, there's been progress these last several months. but we know there are going to be some difficult days ahead. there's going to be setbacks. we face a determined enemy. but we also know this -- the united states of america does not quit once it starts on something. you don't quit. the american armed services does not quit.

we keep at it, we persevere. and together with our partners, we will prevail. i am absolutely confident of that. and i also want you to know that as you are doing your duty here, we're going to do right by you back home. we're going to help take care of your families. that's why the first lady, michelle obama, visited with military families and make sure that their needs are met. that's why she stays after me once she gets home when i'm at the white house. and we're going to make sure that we are keeping to improve your pay and your benefits, but also things like child care and support that ensure that you've got a little bit of security knowing your family is being looked after back home. and we'll be there for you when you come home. that's why we're improving care